Page 113 of The Lieutenant

Jonas had left a message. So had Alexander Dumas from Paris. Fuck him. I would never return to the city.

Not without Kara beside me.

Well, fuck. That wasn’t going to happen.

I was taking long strides toward the elevator when I finally noticed the identity of the third caller. I was no longer shocked at my reactions when I heard Kara’s name mentioned or came across something that reminded me of her.

She’d left a message.

After almost five weeks, she’d made contact. And I’d been in a goddamn business meeting. I pressed listen, avoidingthe elevator and turning down another hallway to have some privacy. The sound of her voice ignited the cool, dark embers.

“Havros. It’s me. Kara. I just… Well, I hadn’t heard your voice and I admit it, I missed you.”She laughed, but I could instantly tell something was wrong.“Anyway, I’m coming to Greece. We need to talk and I don’t want to do it over the phone. I haven’t figured out what flight I’ll be on, but I’ll let you know once I book it. It’ll be good to see you again.”

That was it. She didn’t say goodbye, but I did hear a glitch in her voice.

“There you are, bro. I’m glad I caught up with you.” Dimitrios was right beside me.

I said nothing, still staring at the transcript of the message she’d left.

“Earth to Havros. What’s wrong?”

Lifting my head, I broke out in a cold sweat. “She’s coming back to Kolonaki.”

“Who? Kara?”

I nodded.

“For how long?”

“I don’t know.”

He clapped me on the back of the shoulder. “Brother. One piece of advice. Don’t allow her to get away again. You love her. Admit it to yourself and stop sulking. Woo her back. Kidnap and holdher hostage. I don’t care how you decide to do it. Just do it or you’ll spend the rest of your life regretting it.”

“Wise words from a lovesick man.”

“Try it, my friend. You might like it.”

“What the fuck?” I pulled the phone away from my ear, hitting play one more time.

“What’s wrong, boss?” Jonas asked.

“Hi there. I’m on my way. I’ll be there around five your time. I’m arriving on flight number… And I… So if you…”

“Goddamn it. Kara’s message is garbled.”

“Do you have any idea where she’s flying into?”

“None.”

“I’ll check the flights into Athens coming in from New York,” he told me, immediately heading from my office.

I jerked up from my chair, tossing the phone onto my desk and shoving my hands into my pockets. We’d missed each other in phone calls. I’d been planning on heading over myself in the jet, bringing her back and insisting she stay.

Not being able to get in touch with her had kept me on edge for almost twenty-four hours. I checked my watch. It was already almost three-thirty. If I didn’t learn her flight within thirtyminutes, I would head to the Athens airport, searching the entire goddamn bank of buildings until I found her.

If she wasn’t on the flight, I’d keep trying to contact her. How had I missed the damn call? I was furious with myself. I was also excited about seeing her again. I’d made a few calls. She’d made a deal with HBO. I was so damn proud of her, I had plans on taking her out to dinner to celebrate.

She deserved the attention and every accolade received. However, I’d taken what Dimitrios had told me to heart.

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